Business/Commerce at Coconino Community College

This associate's degree in business shows a workable debt-to-earnings picture, though limited graduate numbers mean we're working with national benchmarks rather than Coconino-specific outcomes. The estimated first-year earnings of $36,591 sit right at the national median for two-year business programs, while the projected $11,000 debt load is notably lower than both the national median ($13,437) and Arizona's typical debt burden ($20,209) for this credential. That 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment—roughly three months of gross income to cover the total borrowed.

The jump to $41,675 by year four shows solid earnings progression, putting graduates nearly on par with DeVry's outcomes while carrying far less debt. For context, business associate's degrees in Arizona range from Pima's $31,107 to DeVry's $43,716, placing this program's trajectory in competitive territory. The lower debt is particularly meaningful in Flagstaff's high cost-of-living environment, where housing expenses can quickly erode early-career budgets.

The main uncertainty is whether Coconino's actual graduates match these national patterns. For a parent evaluating this investment, the fundamentals look sound—affordable debt paired with earnings that should support repayment—but recognize you're making this decision without school-specific outcome data. If your student plans to stay in Northern Arizona where business skills are portable, the lighter debt burden offers flexibility to pursue opportunities without financial pressure.